TDP #15: A 3-step Process for Creating Quality LinkedIn Connections

LinkedIn has a thriving data community.

And it’s become an ideal place to be for networking within that community, whether you’re trying to break into the field, or you’re already in it.

Harnessing the power of community is a great way to build relationships, receive guidance, and open up new opportunities.

Sounds great! But what exactly does “networking” look like?

In this newsletter, I’m going to share with you the exact process I’ve used to build connections on LinkedIn that have become legitimate friendships.

It’s what I did before I had a following and what I continue to do now.

I’m going to tell you now that this is a long-game approach, but it’s the best way to do it.

1 | Engage with content

This is how you warm up any online connection on LinkedIn.

Most people you discover will be those who are posting or those who are commenting on posts.

Find a handful of content creators whose content you enjoy, but who also have very active comment threads.

Engage with these posts daily and reply to comments that other people have left.

Over time you’ll often notice the same people in these comment threads. You’ll start getting to know them and vice versa.

It’s like seeing the same people at your daily coffee shop and making small chat.

Eventually, you get to know them more and more if you continue to come and continue to engage.

Same goes for your interactions with the person who’s posting the content.

2 | Focus on giving, not getting

What I want you to do next is send a connection request.

But you’re not just sending a connection request.

You also need to send a DM with your request.

But not just any DM either.

The most common mistake people make here is they immediately start asking for stuff: “Do you have any advice for…?”, “Can you review my resume?”, etc.

DON’T do this.

Instead, send a thoughtful message that builds up the individual.

And don’t ask for anything.

Here’s an example of a message I’ve sent.

That was a message sent to someone creating content, but you can do the same for someone who just comments regularly too. Just change up the wording a bit of course.

Notice that I didn’t ask for anything. But you know what happened next?

This individual initiated a coffee chat, and I gladly accepted.

Focus on giving not getting. When you lead with a request, it can be a big turn-off. I know it can be for me.

I have many other examples like this. One of which I will share about in my next point…

3 | Nurture the relationship

Here’s another example like the one above.

Way back when I first started getting involved in the LinkedIn data community, I found a content creator I liked.

This person had a digital product they sold. I bought that digital product and loved it.

Well, I send this person a very thoughtful message telling them how much I loved it. I expected NOTHING in return from them. I just wanted to let them know how much I appreciated their hard work and how I benefited as someone trying to break into the data field.

This person told me that message made their day.

That person then initiated some conversation on how my job hunt was going.

Afterwards I’d check in now and then, but here is the key point.

I didn’t ask for any advice until AFTER we had already made the connection. The advice came later after some time had passed.

Can I tell you something? This person is now one of my closest friends within the data community.

And it started because I focused on building them up, not myself.

I can guarantee you things wouldn’t have gone the same way if my first message to them was just asking for them to review my resume and give me tons of free advice.

Summary

1. Engage with people regularly via posts and comment threads

2. Send a connection request with a thoughtful message (don’t ask for anything!)

3. Continue to engage and nurture the relationship.

This is a proven method for building quality connections on LinkedIn. It takes more time, but if you’re serious about your career, this is the best way to create connections that will turn into actual relationships.

That’s it for this week.

See you next time

Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

1 | The Data Portfolio Guidebook

If you’re looking to create a data portfolio but aren’t sure where to start, I’d recommend this ebook: Learn how to think like an analyst, develop a portfolio and LinkedIn profile, and tackle the job hunt.

Join 450+ learners here

2 | 1:1 Coaching Call

For help navigating the data job hunt, consider booking a 1:1 career guidance session with me. We’ll review your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn, and we’ll also develop a roadmap to get you to your ideal data job faster.

Schedule a 1:1 here

3 | 4-Session 1:1 Coaching

If you’re serious about taking your data job hunt to the next level, consider joining my coaching program. I’ll help you create a roadmap, learn key technical skills, develop your personal branding, and prepare proven interview strategy.

Book your 1st session here